Forest Teahouse

MORE IMAGES COMING SOON!

BACKGROUND \\

The competition was hosed by ArcTriumph Architecture & Design Competitions, Spring 2014. The project intent was to design a theoretical treehouse anywhere in the world, >50m2 for two people from a nearby city. This design was awarded 3rd place prize.

This treehouse was designed by Bryan Apito and James Efstathiou in Spring of 2014. Bryan and James teleconferenced for the entirety of the project, utilizing Skype and Dropbox for design sessions. The entire project was designed and visualized in two weeks, after working hours.

BRIEF \\

"The Forest Teahouse will provide a remote sanctuary for a young couple from Osaka, Japan. The site is located in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, which contains some of the last remaining wilderness areas in Japan. Bamboo, a natural element historically rooted in Japanese culture, provides a tranquil forested ambiance for this treehouse retreat.

The vague, disorienting and fanciful nature of the bamboo forest serves as inspiration for the treehouse’s vertical and modular parti. The Forest Teahouse’s pavilion-like structural system is completely independent of the surrounding bamboo. The structure utilizes thin steel columns that sit on concrete pile footings. The trunks and roots of the surrounding forest remain unharmed by this intervention. The treehouse entry sequence gradually winds into the treetops, flanked by rope screens. This focuses the progression upward and provides framed views of the surrounding terrain. The treehouse’s remote location allows the interior spaces to become almost completely transparent. The transparent facade fully allows the couple to experience the nuances of nature from the indoors. Frosted glass panels are used in the lower, more intimate areas of the bathroom and bedroom. This allows comfortable privacy without sacrificing visual connectivity to the outdoors. Programmatic, site and atmospheric constraints shape the building’s form, circulation and appearance.

A modular design enables the treehouse to be completely prefabricated, carried into the remote forest and assembled on site. The thin and lightweight structure pays homage to clusters of tall bamboo trees, allowing the house to further blend into its surroundings.

The main living space is lifted higher than the rest of the treehouse, suggesting a formal programmatic hierarchy. The roof hosts solar panels which power a water heater, water pump and all of the buildings’ electrical needs. Rainwater is collected in a submerged cistern which is used for the sinks, shower and toilet. The cistern and solar panels together allow the treehouse to remain off “the-grid”."

This Container Vacation Home was designed with Bryan's friend and fellow architectural designer Jozef Karpiel. The project was completed in a crunch, Bryan designed, modeled and presented this project in a three-day span (an intense design charrette) However the project was not fully realized visually until now! Enjoy!

BRIEF \\

This vacation home —located outside Sydney Australia— is situated along a steep ocean bluff which overlooks the Tasman Sea and neighboring Bondi Beach. The 421 square meter home steps down the sloped site and projects over the cliffs to offer unadulterated vistas. The home integrates landscape between the spaces, to allow the resident the constant experience of nature.

Re-purposed shipping containers were used as the structure of the building. Many of the Cor-ten containers were dismantled and reassembled to function as brise soleil, terrace walkways, cantilevered overhangs and even staircases. Treated plywood and pine siding visually ties the containers together, while referencing the ephemeral quality of the ocean horizon.

The home has a two car garage, a mudroom with storage, a full bathroom for those sandy days at the beach, and a large double-height great room which opens to a den. Below the great room are private offices and the master bedroom. Other spaces include a kitchen, bar, dining room, lounge and an ample outdoor deck. In addition, there are three detached guest-houses, each made from a single purposed shipping container.

La: 33°53’34.69” S // Lo: 151°16’59.54” E

Scroll to the Bottom.

Venice Biennale

The competition was hosed by ArcTriumph Architecture & Design Competitions, Summer 2013. The project intent was to design a theoretical temporary floating pavilion for the Venice Biennale, located in the Venice Lagoon just outside St. Marc's Square.This design received an Honorable Mention and made it to the top 13 of hundreds of submissions.

This pavilion was designed by Bryan Apito and Jozef Karpiel in August of 2013. Bryan and Jozef teleconferenced for the entirety of the project, utilizing Skype and Dropbox for design sessions. The entire project was designed and visualized in two weeks, after working hours. Bryan and Jozef founded Karpiel-Apito Design (KAD) as a title for this and future design projects.

Adapting Architecture : The Urban Ecology Research and Education Center

This graduate thesis project was designed by Bryan Apito, Spring of 2012. Adjunct Professors Lisa Gray and Alan Organschi of Gray Organschi Architectecture instructed ARCH.613 at Roger Williams University, SAAHP. The studio focused on concepts of new urban design, transforming post-traumatic landscapes, disaster area architecture, buildings which adapt to their climate and context and buildings which perform a purpose then are relinquished to natural degradation.

Destroyed urban landscapes can be used to investigate how architecture and nature should coexist. These sites of uncertainty can be used to investigate new ways of occupying nature. Buildings, which evolve as an adaptation to their climate, context and use, can become a prototype for their situation. Over time the chaotic and informal land will transform into a green sanctuary where buildings will facilitate human interaction with the wild.

Every map, diagram, graphic and rendering seen was designed and developed by Bryan Apito.

Thank you to those who helped ascertain research documents for this project.

Scroll to the Bottom.

Closer To Nature

This project was designed by Bryan Apito, Spring of 2012. Adjunct Professor Tatiana Berger instructed ARCH.515 at Roger Williams University, SAAHP.​ This graduate studio focused on concepts of Critical Regionalism and small scale residential design with an emphasis on human-scaled and environmentally conscious design.

The project consists of a proposed flexible home and artist studio for the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln Massachusetts. The program has both private and public zones nestled within a natural environment. The site of the project was located on Flint Pond in Lincoln Massachusetts, a heavily wooded and rural site.

Bryan carefully orchestrated the home’s fenestration, vegetation and building organization to maximize a natural feeling. The project is small and developed to be realistically constructed.

Concepts used to ground architecture in place include:

A perception of closeness to nature; an intimate scale; promote spatial awareness; spatial dynamics derived from existing conditions and respond to landscape and cultural context.

Every map, diagram, graphic and rendering seen was designed and developed by Bryan Apito.​

Scroll to the Bottom.

Building on the Mountain of Gods

This project was designed by Bryan Apito, Fall of 2011. Professor Roberto Viola Ochoa instructed ARCH.513, Comprehensive at Roger Williams University, SAAHP.​ The semester focused on the detailed design of mechanical systems, structure, enclosure and code.

Every map, diagram, graphic, model and rendering seen was designed and developed by Bryan Apito.​ (Site model base, group effort)

​Mid-semester the three Fall 2011 Comprehensive studios exhibited their work for critique at Sasaki Architects in Watertown MA.

Scroll to the Bottom.

Banganga Tank Project Video

Paul Lukez Architecture : RWU Exhibit Design

The work shown was completed at Paul Lukez Architecture in Somerville, MA the Summer of 2011. The gallery is designed to promote the launch of Paul Lukez's Next book. Bryan Apito also worked on the book during his time at PLA, which will remain private until the book is published.

The gallery (right) was exhibited in fall of 2011. In addition to designing the exhibit layout and appearance, Bryan also created promotional imagery and designed 36 Maps with accompanied diagrams. Bryan later printed 12 of the maps on Mylar film at Roger Williams University. The maps are a key component of the exhibit and future book.

Bryan's Project 'The Kaiserswerth Connection' was chosen as one of 2 to represent Roger Williams Students' contributions for Transforming the Mid-Polis. This project will also be seen in the coming book. ​

Scroll to the Bottom.

​

The Kaiserswerth Connection

This project was designed by Bryan Apito, Spring of 2011. Adjunct Professor Paul Lukez, FAIA instructed ARCH.515 at Roger Williams University, SAAHP.​ The semester introduced the concepts of research based design, urban planning, city development, information graphics, program design, design for flooding.

Every map, diagram, graphic and rendering seen was designed and developed by Bryan Apito.​

For this project Bryan learned how to use Indesign, Illustrator, Sketchup and Artlantis. Bryan established contact with residents of Dusseldorf to maintain accuracy of information data.​ Bryan was hired to work for Paul Lukez Architecture for the following summer.

Scroll to the Bottom.

CT D.E.E.P Wood Designs

These projects were designed by Bryan Apito, January 2010 and June 2012. ​Photography by Bryan Apito.

The table and chairs were designed for a satellite woodland office owned by the DEEP. The chairs are build solid, so they could not easily be stolen and so they could rough the New England weather. They were designed, fabricated and installed in a week. The oak lumber is given to the DEEP from logging companies, local and fresh. The table top is 3" (actual), the cross bars are 4x4 (actual) and the legs are 8x8(actual). The table was countersunk and lagged together with wood peg caps.

The bridge is designed for a deck mower and person to cross a (usually) active stream. The span is 31' with a 2' rise. Concrete footings were made at either end. The project was prefabricated and assembled onsite. ​

The projects were overseen by Richard Viele, with help from Ashley Hayatt and Kiera O'Connel.

Scroll to the Bottom.

*Update: Oct 2012. The bridge made it through hurricane Sandy!​

Florence Urban Revitalization

These projects were designed by Bryan Apito and Hugh Freund together, Fall of 2010. ​The imagery shown was rendered by Bryan Apito.

Professors Carlo Achilli and Stefano Corazzini instructed ARCH.413 Advanced Topical Design Studio at The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai in Florence Italy.​ The semester introduced concepts of urban planning, restoration, large public spaces and architecture within a historic context.

The design began with a new urban plan for the region surrounding the ​Sant'Ambrogio Market in Florence. Tying in the existing architecture school and restores the existing market space. A pedestrian piazza is defined with a new entrance to the school and a new flea market space. The flea market is semi-outdoor and inspired by the regional architecture. A cluster of college dormitories was developed to the east of the school. A pedestrian street was created, tying in the new piazza with a neighboring Renzo Piano building. The dorms are designed to foster social interaction and independent living.

​These projects were designed by hand, using drawing and physical models. The final renderings were created on ancient PCs in Italy. This was the first project for which Bryan used a computer.

The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company 12 & 1/2' Exhibition and Restoration Center located in Bristol RI. This boat capsule acts as a landmark for the neighboring sailing museum. The building utilizes rock-bed cooling, building orientation, shading and natural ventilation, along with PVCs to keep the project energy efficient. The building's form and structure were inspired by the Herreshoff 12 & 1/2' sail boat. The structure was designed with oversight of Professor Mete Turan at Roger Williams.

The Brown Archive utilizes natural light with controlled shading. This project focused on Hard sustainable systems. Systems designed include mechanical fire suppression, heating, cooling and ventilation. An analysis of appropriate building materials was completed for both projects, including observation of local and national building codes.

​These projects were designed by hand, using drawing and physical models. The final drawings were drafted on Mylar with blue plastic lead and ink and colored in Adobe Photoshop.

Scroll to the Bottom.

​

The Garden of Light Cafe

The semester introduced concepts of high-performance design. Projects were designed with steel and glass which has less tolerance for error. The Studio worked in conjuncture with Construction Materials II, another class at RWU.

​The Garden of Light Cafe is located along the water in Providence RI. The Cafe is designed as a building of contrast. A low, cor-ten rain screen clad portion of the building houses the kitchen, storage and administration spaces. The eating space is a tall glass facade building with a catalan roof equiped with PVCs. The gallery is designed family style, with long tables which are shared, increasing new social interaction potential. The building design flows outward to a constructed nature-surrounded patio.

​The project was designed by hand drawing and physical models. The final drawings were drafted on Mylar with blue plastic lead and ink. Sadly, many drawing scans and model photos have been lost.

Residential Housing Designs

The semester introduced designing for living spaces. All three projects were designed by hand drawing and physical model. ​Final Drawings seen were drawn on Mylar with a plastic lead underlay and Ink.

Scroll to the Bottom.

​

Miscellaneous Architecture Designs

These are studio projects Bryan completed as an undergrad. They were faster projects than the other portfolio work. This 00 volume is not part of the Bryan's Empirical Architecture Portfolio, it is the work that led up to it.